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The Dark Skies Mystery: A World War II Thriller: A Propulsive Spy Adventure About a Boy Reporter Exposing Enemy Secrets in 1942 for Kids
It's 1942, and the United States is at war. Henry Hamilton is an inquisitive twelve-year-old who dreams of being a reporter. Pursuing a story for his school newspaper, Henry’s investigation soon leads to a mysterious room inside his town's famous Biltmore Mansion. The mystery only grows deeper when he uncovers the secret of the room’s contents. As Henry pursues the story, hoping for his first real scoop, he encounters spies, dark forests, hidden tunnels, enemy saboteurs, famous artists, and even a long-dead president of the United States.
Based on a true event, this middle grade mystery features a WWII home front setting complete with frightening blackouts and great uncertainty; the timeless fascination of Biltmore House, the Vanderbilt family mansion; and the intrigue of the Nazis as art thieves, all woven into the empowering story of a boy who aspires to publish the truth.
Based on a true event, this middle grade mystery features a WWII home front setting complete with frightening blackouts and great uncertainty; the timeless fascination of Biltmore House, the Vanderbilt family mansion; and the intrigue of the Nazis as art thieves, all woven into the empowering story of a boy who aspires to publish the truth.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 24, 2024
8 people are currently reading
2769 people want to read
About the author
Deron R. Hicks
7 books168 followersI live in Warm Springs, Georgia with my wife Angela, daughter Meg, and son Parker. I am a proud graduate of the University of Georgia, where I obtained a bachelor of fine arts degree in painting. Having obtained a degree in painting, I took the next logical step in life -- I went to Law school (more specifically, Mercer Law School, which I loved). After years in private practice, I had an idea for a mystery novel that I thought my children would enjoy (and that might teach them a little bit about Shakespeare). That idea turned into THE SECRETS OF SHAKESPEARE"S GRAVE. A second book followed shortly thereafter - TOWER OF THE FIVE ORDERS. And coming in 2017, a new mystery - THE VAN GOGH DECEPTION, published by HMH Books for Children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 27, 2024
What a winner of a read!
This book had everything a great novel for middle-grade readers should have:
Page-turning mystery☑️
Historical fiction based on true facts☑️
A protagonist that’s just an ordinary kid, but has to face some big fears in order to assist his country during WW2☑️
Interesting author notes at the end☑️
I dare anyone of any age to read this book and not feel a surge of interest in historical events!
* I received a digital copy from. Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
This book had everything a great novel for middle-grade readers should have:
Page-turning mystery☑️
Historical fiction based on true facts☑️
A protagonist that’s just an ordinary kid, but has to face some big fears in order to assist his country during WW2☑️
Interesting author notes at the end☑️
I dare anyone of any age to read this book and not feel a surge of interest in historical events!
* I received a digital copy from. Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
February 10, 2025
This was such a great book! I loved it!
March 6, 2025
Henry Hamilton is a fairly average Asheville, NC middle schooler for 1942. He stands out a little bit for his father's position working at the Biltmore estate. But he stands out more for his insatiable curiosity and passion for journalism, both of which seem to be landing him in hot water of late. It doesn't help that there's a new young reporter in town who keeps stealing his scoops, or that the town is on edge about Nazi spies with air raid drills starting. During the first air raid drill Henry sees something strange, but after a fiasco that landed him in a place he really shouldn't have been, he's cautious about revealing it to anyone else. Has he really noticed spy activity, or is his imagination getting the better of him?
It takes quite a while to get to the mystery part of this story. The good part of that is that Hicks does a great job of world building and making 1942 Asheville, NC come to life for readers. It helps readers get into 1940s world and what that is typically like for a middle school boy of the time period before diving into what wouldn't be so usual. I got a little tired of some of Henry's risky actions, and found myself telling him to stop multiple times. He is curious to the point of putting himself in dangerous situations on more than one occasion. Crazy kid. Yes, I can see that being an important quality for a reporter, so I know why Hicks wrote him that way, but it is a miracle he's made it to middle school! There aren't a ton of middle grade books featuring how the US was preparing for possible air raids in the 1940s, so that was interesting to learn about. The proximity to the Biltmore and how it plays into the plot were also interesting (and parts were historically based too). Not my favorite Hicks mystery, but still a good one.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Violence is threatened at one point and a very perilous situation is faced 2x, but no one is seriously hurt.
Ethnic diversity: Most of the characters seem to be white Americans, but the spies are German.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Henry puts himself in some risky situations with his curiosity. He has wise parents who talk to him about his actions and have punishments for them.
It takes quite a while to get to the mystery part of this story. The good part of that is that Hicks does a great job of world building and making 1942 Asheville, NC come to life for readers. It helps readers get into 1940s world and what that is typically like for a middle school boy of the time period before diving into what wouldn't be so usual. I got a little tired of some of Henry's risky actions, and found myself telling him to stop multiple times. He is curious to the point of putting himself in dangerous situations on more than one occasion. Crazy kid. Yes, I can see that being an important quality for a reporter, so I know why Hicks wrote him that way, but it is a miracle he's made it to middle school! There aren't a ton of middle grade books featuring how the US was preparing for possible air raids in the 1940s, so that was interesting to learn about. The proximity to the Biltmore and how it plays into the plot were also interesting (and parts were historically based too). Not my favorite Hicks mystery, but still a good one.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Violence is threatened at one point and a very perilous situation is faced 2x, but no one is seriously hurt.
Ethnic diversity: Most of the characters seem to be white Americans, but the spies are German.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Henry puts himself in some risky situations with his curiosity. He has wise parents who talk to him about his actions and have punishments for them.
April 6, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Henry Hamilton lives in Asheville, North Carolina in 1942. His father is a maintenance supervisor at the Biltmore Estate, and doesn't quite understand Henry's desire to be an investigative journalist or reporter like Edward R. Murrow. Henry works on the newspaper at Claxon Intermediate School and tries to make the exacting teacher who oversees it, Mr. Johanssen, happy. When a friend overhears that the local sports phenom is going to join the Navy rather than play football for Notre Dame, Henry thinks he can get the scoop turned in, but freezes when he sees an adult reporter swoop in. He's mad at both Willard Presley and himself that he doesn't have any story to turn in. It's even worse when his rival on the paper, Celie Parker, is made an air raid warden, and he has to go to the meeting to cover her story. His dad takes him, and there is so much information that Henry forgets to take notes. On the way home, his father gives him a scoop; Jack Hamilton is in charge of the local blackout drills, and no one else knows this. Henry writes an article for the Claxon paper that Mr. Johanssen says is the best student writing he's ever read. Even Willard Pressley is impressed, and the two talk and start a tentative professional friendship. When Henry has to collect scrap metal and get it to the collection center, he gets distracted by a baseball game and shows up late. Luckily, Ray Jeffries knows his dad, and takes pity on him, helping him sort the hundred pounds on metal. Henry is late for dinner, so stops by the local hotel to ask to use the phone to call home. His mother says his father will come to get him, which will take a while. Henry sees the white Biltmore van out on the street, and marvels that his father got to him so quickly, but when the can doesn't stop, he realizes that his father isn't driving. Not wanting to blow another scoop, he follows the fan. He sees Mr. Jeffries and several other men with military looking guns load crates into the van! He blocks an exhaust pipe to buy himself more time to investigate, but when he opens up a crate, he falls in and the van takes off. The van is full of artwork, including Rodin's The Thinker, and Henry is very worried. When the crate is unloaded, Henry realizes that he is at the Biltmore. Soldiers are also there, as is his father. It turns out that the National Gallery sent art to the hotel to keep it safe. The government men think that Mr. Hamilton told his son about the project, which would endanger national security. He convinces them that he did not, but Henry is banned from the estate. He ends up working with another warden, Mrs. Blakely, who is very exacting. When the first blackout drill is held, the local cathedral has ALL of its lights turned on! Henry sees men running away from the area and gives chase. He follows them on his bike out into the woods and comes across quite a mystery. He does a lot of research in the local library, and even requests a book about Rodin from another library, marveling that he can get the information he needs in just two to three weeks! He works a bit with Mr. Pressley, especially since President Roosevelt is visiting for one of the drills, and Henry feels that something is going on. When he is followed by a car and run off the road, this feeling intensifies. He finally figures out what is going on, but when he tries to tell his father about it, gets himself into even more danger. Will he be able to warn his father before the artwork, as well as the Biltmore, is targeted?
Strengths: I think I need to travel to Ashville, North Carolina so that I can see the Biltmore Estate. This is at least the third middle grade novel that has mentioned it, and Hicks does a fantastic job of describing the town surrounding it as well. Henry is an interesting character, and it makes perfect sense for a tween during World War II to want to go into journalism. There are a lot of details about the blackout drills, and I learned a lot about painting car bumpers white, and using reflective paint, that I did not know. The system of wardens, the scrap metal collecting, and the details about the artwork being stored at the Biltmore (which actually happened), all add to the WWII feel. I don't want to ruin the twists at the end, but this got VERY exciting, and involved some spies and things I did not see coming! Jack Hamilton was rather interesting; he could have his own adult novel, I think! He's probably 35-45, so might have served in World War I. There's a rabbit hole to go down... men of that age on the home front during WWII.
Weaknesses: I kept thinking that Henry's deaf dalmation, Bee, would take a larger role in the story, or that Celie Parker would get involved, but they didn't. The book is a little on the long side, so it's just as well, but they were both intriguing. The cover could have been more like Osborne's Winter Bullet, as the illustration makes this look like a book for younger readers. That seems to be the current style, though.
What I really think: This is a great fictional mystery that pairs well with Seiple's Nazi Saboteurs: Hitler's Secret Attack on America; the inept Nazis are even mentioned in the book! I'll purchase a copy for fans of Parker's Edenville Owls or Elliott's Louisa June and the Nazis in the Waves, but it might take a bit of hand selling because of the cover.
Henry Hamilton lives in Asheville, North Carolina in 1942. His father is a maintenance supervisor at the Biltmore Estate, and doesn't quite understand Henry's desire to be an investigative journalist or reporter like Edward R. Murrow. Henry works on the newspaper at Claxon Intermediate School and tries to make the exacting teacher who oversees it, Mr. Johanssen, happy. When a friend overhears that the local sports phenom is going to join the Navy rather than play football for Notre Dame, Henry thinks he can get the scoop turned in, but freezes when he sees an adult reporter swoop in. He's mad at both Willard Presley and himself that he doesn't have any story to turn in. It's even worse when his rival on the paper, Celie Parker, is made an air raid warden, and he has to go to the meeting to cover her story. His dad takes him, and there is so much information that Henry forgets to take notes. On the way home, his father gives him a scoop; Jack Hamilton is in charge of the local blackout drills, and no one else knows this. Henry writes an article for the Claxon paper that Mr. Johanssen says is the best student writing he's ever read. Even Willard Pressley is impressed, and the two talk and start a tentative professional friendship. When Henry has to collect scrap metal and get it to the collection center, he gets distracted by a baseball game and shows up late. Luckily, Ray Jeffries knows his dad, and takes pity on him, helping him sort the hundred pounds on metal. Henry is late for dinner, so stops by the local hotel to ask to use the phone to call home. His mother says his father will come to get him, which will take a while. Henry sees the white Biltmore van out on the street, and marvels that his father got to him so quickly, but when the can doesn't stop, he realizes that his father isn't driving. Not wanting to blow another scoop, he follows the fan. He sees Mr. Jeffries and several other men with military looking guns load crates into the van! He blocks an exhaust pipe to buy himself more time to investigate, but when he opens up a crate, he falls in and the van takes off. The van is full of artwork, including Rodin's The Thinker, and Henry is very worried. When the crate is unloaded, Henry realizes that he is at the Biltmore. Soldiers are also there, as is his father. It turns out that the National Gallery sent art to the hotel to keep it safe. The government men think that Mr. Hamilton told his son about the project, which would endanger national security. He convinces them that he did not, but Henry is banned from the estate. He ends up working with another warden, Mrs. Blakely, who is very exacting. When the first blackout drill is held, the local cathedral has ALL of its lights turned on! Henry sees men running away from the area and gives chase. He follows them on his bike out into the woods and comes across quite a mystery. He does a lot of research in the local library, and even requests a book about Rodin from another library, marveling that he can get the information he needs in just two to three weeks! He works a bit with Mr. Pressley, especially since President Roosevelt is visiting for one of the drills, and Henry feels that something is going on. When he is followed by a car and run off the road, this feeling intensifies. He finally figures out what is going on, but when he tries to tell his father about it, gets himself into even more danger. Will he be able to warn his father before the artwork, as well as the Biltmore, is targeted?
Strengths: I think I need to travel to Ashville, North Carolina so that I can see the Biltmore Estate. This is at least the third middle grade novel that has mentioned it, and Hicks does a fantastic job of describing the town surrounding it as well. Henry is an interesting character, and it makes perfect sense for a tween during World War II to want to go into journalism. There are a lot of details about the blackout drills, and I learned a lot about painting car bumpers white, and using reflective paint, that I did not know. The system of wardens, the scrap metal collecting, and the details about the artwork being stored at the Biltmore (which actually happened), all add to the WWII feel. I don't want to ruin the twists at the end, but this got VERY exciting, and involved some spies and things I did not see coming! Jack Hamilton was rather interesting; he could have his own adult novel, I think! He's probably 35-45, so might have served in World War I. There's a rabbit hole to go down... men of that age on the home front during WWII.
Weaknesses: I kept thinking that Henry's deaf dalmation, Bee, would take a larger role in the story, or that Celie Parker would get involved, but they didn't. The book is a little on the long side, so it's just as well, but they were both intriguing. The cover could have been more like Osborne's Winter Bullet, as the illustration makes this look like a book for younger readers. That seems to be the current style, though.
What I really think: This is a great fictional mystery that pairs well with Seiple's Nazi Saboteurs: Hitler's Secret Attack on America; the inept Nazis are even mentioned in the book! I'll purchase a copy for fans of Parker's Edenville Owls or Elliott's Louisa June and the Nazis in the Waves, but it might take a bit of hand selling because of the cover.
September 6, 2024
First sentence: It was almost time. Henry Hamilton plopped down on the well-worn braided rug that occupied most of the floor in his family's living room.
Premise/plot: Henry Hamilton, our twelve-year-old narrator, works for his school paper as a reporter. He is fascinated with journalism--particularly high-stakes war journalism. As he follows the clues in his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, he might just find himself in great danger from an outside threat. And he might not be at home in time for his banana pudding.
This one is a middle grade mystery set in 1942 on the American homefront.
My thoughts: I am so conflicted. On the one hand, I enjoy mysteries, most of the time. I enjoy historical fiction, most of the time. I love middle grade fiction. World War II is one of my favorite time periods to read about. On paper--in theory--this one should have been a great match for me. On the other hand, Henry Hamilton does hundreds of things that could lead to his death. And if he's dead, there's no story to be told, no warning message to get out to the proper authorities. He doesn't really have a plan on how to escape all the dangerous situations he finds himself in. He's twelve and invincible? I suppose that's the theory? I don't know that the target audience would have the same concerns I did. Probably not.
Premise/plot: Henry Hamilton, our twelve-year-old narrator, works for his school paper as a reporter. He is fascinated with journalism--particularly high-stakes war journalism. As he follows the clues in his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, he might just find himself in great danger from an outside threat. And he might not be at home in time for his banana pudding.
This one is a middle grade mystery set in 1942 on the American homefront.
My thoughts: I am so conflicted. On the one hand, I enjoy mysteries, most of the time. I enjoy historical fiction, most of the time. I love middle grade fiction. World War II is one of my favorite time periods to read about. On paper--in theory--this one should have been a great match for me. On the other hand, Henry Hamilton does hundreds of things that could lead to his death. And if he's dead, there's no story to be told, no warning message to get out to the proper authorities. He doesn't really have a plan on how to escape all the dangerous situations he finds himself in. He's twelve and invincible? I suppose that's the theory? I don't know that the target audience would have the same concerns I did. Probably not.
dnf-2024
July 11, 2024I began "Dark Skies Mystery" with high expectations due to its intriguing premise set in 1942, centered around the inquisitive twelve-year-old Henry Hamilton. The promise of a story featuring a young, aspiring reporter who uncovers secrets within the famous Biltmore Mansion during WWII piqued my interest. The book also offered a rich setting of the American home front, complete with blackouts and the looming threat of enemy saboteurs, which seemed like it would create a tense and captivating backdrop for the mystery. Unfortunately, despite these promising elements, I found it difficult to remain engaged with the story.
The pacing of the book was slow, and I struggled to connect with the characters and their adventures. Henry's investigation, which should have been thrilling, often felt bogged down by excessive descriptions and a lack of action. While the historical context and details about the Biltmore Mansion were fascinating, they sometimes overshadowed the narrative, making it hard to maintain interest. The story's potential for excitement was frequently undermined by a lack of urgency and suspense. Regrettably, I decided to put the book down before reaching the conclusion, feeling that it did not live up to its initial promise.
The pacing of the book was slow, and I struggled to connect with the characters and their adventures. Henry's investigation, which should have been thrilling, often felt bogged down by excessive descriptions and a lack of action. While the historical context and details about the Biltmore Mansion were fascinating, they sometimes overshadowed the narrative, making it hard to maintain interest. The story's potential for excitement was frequently undermined by a lack of urgency and suspense. Regrettably, I decided to put the book down before reaching the conclusion, feeling that it did not live up to its initial promise.
January 5, 2025
The Dark Skies Mystery by Deron R. Hicks is a World War II thriller. Hicks is the author of the Lost Art Mysteries.
In the parlance of adult mysteries, it’s a cozy mystery. Henry Hamilton and his family live in Asheville, North Carolina, the home of the Biltmore Estate. While a majority of other boys his age dream of joining the fight, Henry dreams of being a journalist like Edward R. Murrow. As a journalist for his school newspaper, he is unsuccessful. However, he stumbles into a story about the artwork that is being hidden for the duration of the war in the Biltmore Estate, his father’s employer, and the subsequent attempt to blow up the artwork.
Hicks fills this charming mystery with rich historical information about the time period. I hope Hicks writes more World War II historical fiction and recommend the book for purchase.
Unfortunately, the thriller parts of the novel fail to materialize until page 118, too late for fourth and sixth grade boys—the target audience. On page 166 a misprint needs to be corrected, “I just . . . well, I was saw the men in the suits and they seemed . . . suspicious.”
C.S.
Ret. Teacher
In the parlance of adult mysteries, it’s a cozy mystery. Henry Hamilton and his family live in Asheville, North Carolina, the home of the Biltmore Estate. While a majority of other boys his age dream of joining the fight, Henry dreams of being a journalist like Edward R. Murrow. As a journalist for his school newspaper, he is unsuccessful. However, he stumbles into a story about the artwork that is being hidden for the duration of the war in the Biltmore Estate, his father’s employer, and the subsequent attempt to blow up the artwork.
Hicks fills this charming mystery with rich historical information about the time period. I hope Hicks writes more World War II historical fiction and recommend the book for purchase.
Unfortunately, the thriller parts of the novel fail to materialize until page 118, too late for fourth and sixth grade boys—the target audience. On page 166 a misprint needs to be corrected, “I just . . . well, I was saw the men in the suits and they seemed . . . suspicious.”
C.S.
Ret. Teacher
November 22, 2024
Henry Hamilton's goal is to be an ace reporter, and he recognizes many stories in his small North Carolina hometown to learn his craft. After begin befriend by a real reporter, Henry does land a story that might never be able to be told in a newspaper, but he feels obligated to track the story to the end, and possibly save the town, the President and the country in the meantime. Set during the end of WWII, this historical fiction is a good add to an upper elementary/middle school historical fiction or mystery collection.
I'm a huge fan of Deron Hick's Lost Art series, so now I'm watching for his name and new books. I love the history included in each book, and the facts the Hicks shares in such a suitable way for younger readers
I'm a huge fan of Deron Hick's Lost Art series, so now I'm watching for his name and new books. I love the history included in each book, and the facts the Hicks shares in such a suitable way for younger readers
July 20, 2024
This is a different perspective on WWII in the United States, especially enticing as a mystery. Henry is a reporter for his school newspaper, hoping to make it into a career eventually. As he starts reporting on the Air Warden preparations, Henry notices unusual goings on about town. He follows up on a few of them and ends up in trouble with his father for stumbling on to government secrets. As he tries to stay out of trouble, he accidentally uncovers something even bigger. As with the authors other books, there is an art element to it. Recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by Edelweiss
eARC provided by Edelweiss
October 5, 2024
A mystery set during WWII. A small town boy wants to be a newspaper writer. Henry desperately wants to have the best article in his school news paper. The only problem is finding a story that is the inside scoop and not already taken by another. Henry accidentally stumbles into just that. Swept up in the mystery of a life time he is chasing spies and dealing with war criminals. He must uphold his families name while trying not to become a victim of this evil plot.
The story starts off a tad slow, stick with it it gets good!
I will recommend this story to my students, I believe they will like it. Also the real life tie in is a bonus.
The story starts off a tad slow, stick with it it gets good!
I will recommend this story to my students, I believe they will like it. Also the real life tie in is a bonus.
July 21, 2025
Henry is an inquisitive kid who wants to be a reporter, thanks to all the World War II reporting he sees happening. His dad works at the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, NC and when Henry gets caught in part of the mansion where he shouldn't be, all in the name of a good story, he gets banned from the mansion. But when he uncovers a true Nazi plot to destroy the museum and priceless American art treasures, will anyone believe him or will he have to stop them himself?
Interesting mystery set within real historical events.
Interesting mystery set within real historical events.
August 27, 2024
Three stars because there was a nugget of truth in the art work bring stored @ the Biltmore. The author's note is quite helpful. And YES, 12 year old Henry is without a doubt, way too clever! I listened to the audio version on Libby, and the narrator did seem to over-dramatize the text. Still the story was informative, and reflects life in a different era. While the heroics were pretty unbelievable, it was a fun read w/ a happy ending.
September 28, 2024
Interesting story surrounding the Biltmore Estate during WWII. It was a little slow.
From what I could find, replicas of The Thinker were original size (over 6 feet) or larger. The replica in the story is 2 feet. Surely that would have been realized when it was unloaded. I realize this was fabricated for the sake of the story, but still . . .
From what I could find, replicas of The Thinker were original size (over 6 feet) or larger. The replica in the story is 2 feet. Surely that would have been realized when it was unloaded. I realize this was fabricated for the sake of the story, but still . . .
December 3, 2024
great book! It is about patriotic activity in North Carolina before the USA officially entered WWII. It is about how the National Gallery's art work was moved to North Carolina in case Washington D.C. was bombed by the Germans, who were known to destroy or confiscate valuable art. Also there is an admirable and exemplary father-son relationship.
January 30, 2025
This book didn't really become "thrilling" until over 100 pages into the story, but it was pretty good after that! It was good for a middle grade book and still had a twist that I wasn't expecting. It did a good job of giving info about WWII without it being too graphic or detailed for the audience. I will be reading more by this author!
June 27, 2025
This was a great middle grade history mystery. The first half was quite slow but the pace really picked up in the second half and my family and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. We listened to the audiobook and the narrator was engaging and easy to listen to. I was annoyed by how often the text referred to Henry's dad by his full name - after he is introduced once we know who he is!
August 9, 2025
Mystery/historical fiction book set during World War II in Asheville, NC. Middle-schooler Henry is determined to be the best reporter since Edward R. Murrow but when his curiosity gets the better of him, his father bans him from visiting him at work at the Biltmore Estate. With a backdrop of air raid drills and hidden artwork, readers will fly through this book.
August 6, 2024
Hicks is an auto buy author for me. I rounded this one up a smidge just because I’m less interested in this topic compared to his other books. The author’s note did help me appreciate it. I’ll still continue buying his books for my classroom.
August 16, 2024
Deron Hicks’ books are always fantastic. I’m a fan of middle grade stories but his historical novels are top notch and love his connections to real art paintings and statues. Love his books and will read his stuff anything that he publishes!!
October 1, 2024
WWII historical fiction-lite. The true historical part was in relation to the Biltmore hotel being used as a secret storage site for national works of art. Still, a new way to present information about how WWII impacted life in the USA.
October 13, 2025
This WWII mystery set in Asheville, North Carolina, was absolutely captivating! The historical details about the Biltmore Estate were so intriguing, and there were lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end!
August 7, 2024
Excellent story, well written. Great to read out loud or independently.
Can't wait to check out more from this author.
Can't wait to check out more from this author.
August 29, 2024
Enjoyable book and a great beginning to what I hope will be a series.
October 1, 2024
Wasn't feeling it so I don't have to read it. If I feel like it later, I will come back to it.
DNF
Happy Reading!
DNF
Happy Reading!
October 23, 2024
Historical fiction mystery - a little slow, but nice younger middle grade read.
October 29, 2024
A bit slow during the first half, but at the end, I couldn't put it down because I had to know what happened!
January 19, 2025
Great book! Exciting! With a little history mixed in.
January 26, 2025
Really great historical fiction story with adventure and action. Asheville, NC is on my list of places to visit!
March 4, 2025
Excellent story—so suspenseful and engaging!
October 16, 2024
While I loved "The Dark Skies Mystery," it definitely was not thriller. It's strictly a mystery so don't be fooled by the title. That being said, it is an excellent mystery! I was actually surprised by the twist ending. Henry's character was so admirable and I loved the relationship he had with his parents but especially his father. The setting of Asheville NC was perfect and although this is an historical fiction novel, those who don't really care for historical fiction will still like this book.
Found in L4M OT Volume 133. (Also found in "Historical Fiction" themed booklist).
Found in L4M OT Volume 133. (Also found in "Historical Fiction" themed booklist).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews